System of deriving decorative finishes on articles of manufacture



Jan. 11, 1938.

L. V. CASTO SYSTEM OF DERIVING DECORATIVE FINISHES ON ARTICLES OFMANUFACTURE Filed July 31, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 1

C OLOR LIGHT OPAQUE TRHNSLUCENT TRANSPARENT REFLECTION REFRACTIONDIF'FRACT'ION DE 5 I G N One *rwwffl. UNIFORM VARIED AREA vnmzo DEPTHMulti le 120m.

TO P c O/-'\ T TRANSPARENT TRANSLUCENT I lNVENIOR.

ATTORNEYS 11, 1938. y, c sTo 2,104,790

SYSTEM OF DERIVING DECORATIVE FINISHES ON ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE FiledJuly 31, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fire. 2

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INVENTOR. LLOYD l/Cqsro ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 11, 1938 UNITED STATESSYSTEM OF DERIVING DECORATIVE FIN- ISHES ON ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURELloyd V. Casto, Detroit, Mich. Application July 31, 1935, Serial No.34,034

31 Claims.

This invention relates to a method or process of decorating surfaces andincludes representation, simulation or suggestion of natural andartificial designs, particularly designs having variable degrees ofluster in the surface appearance thereof including wood graining andconventional designs, and to the products of such method or process. Theabove indicates the general object.

As with practically all surface-decorating methods, a specific object isto faithfully reproduce natural patterns or designs with more naturaloptical eifects or appearances than obtained heretofore.

A further specific object is to provide a. less expensive process andone that may be more efiectively controlled for commercial work thanthose previously known, by which the color and/or depth eifects presentin many natural articles may be more closely reproduced or simulated ina comparatively uniform manner in quantity production.

The'invention is, in a sense, a modification of the process of surfacedecoration disclosed and claimed in my prior application, Serial No.11,496, filed March 6th, 1935.

In common with the purposes of the invention disclosed in saidapplication, a further specific object is to reproduce substantiallyaccurately the peculiarly subdued pearly luster present in practicallyall finished natural woods, and in some marbles, tapestry, upholstery,textiles, etc.,

and to portray the appearance of depth andluster variations thereof.

T he subdued luster appearance desired, for simulating wood, forexample, is substantially identical with the'well-known lusterappearance observed in practically all fish scales and nacre ormother-of-pearl when the latter aresubdued. This peculiar quality ispresent, for example, in the pore structures of practically all thefiner grades of wood, such as maple, harewood, walnut, cherry,satinwood, mahogany, rosewood, oak, etc., and is most striking in woodshaving a ripple or wavy appearance, and is brought out largely by thevarnishes and lacquers used in finishing such woods. When such coatingsare used on wood they emphasize the light reflection and/or refractionwhen substantially transparent, as in the case of practically allso-called natural wood finishes, in association with the finer flakestructure of the wood. It has been found that the c lor variations inwoods are due to variations in the amount of crystallin silicatespresent in the wood fibres, and stained woods when sanded beforefinishing show the effect in varying degree.

The quality is also present (subdued) in various animal furs, usuallyspoken of as "glossy, heavy naps on upholstery made largely from animalfibers (as wool or silk), and the same is also present in variousnatural and artificial silk fabrics. It is present (unsubdued) in theplumage of many birds. It can also be produced artificially on ceramictiles and porcelains and characterizes so-called luster wares. Thepresent 1 process is useful in representing any of the above on surfacesother than those on which they naturally appear or have been produced inother arts.

The process of the above mentioned application is based principally onobtaining the peculiar luster effect mentioned by reflection, refractionand/or difiraction of light in connection with a bright or semi-brightmetallic surface underlying a translucent'e. g. ground coating on thedecorated panel. In the practice of said process it is sometimes foundthat the colors of the flaked or back ground structure parts of variouswoods of relatively light color, such as ash, birch, maple, cherry andthe lighter mahoganies, cannot be as faithfully simulated as desired,because sufliciently light graining colors to properly portray therespective hues, often will fail to suificiently subdue the metallicluster, resulting in an undesirable appearance. If to remedy this aheavier 3 coat is used or one less translucent, the luster may be lostaltogether. In other words, in the reproduction of such light coloredsubjects a delicacy of balance arises which is diflicult to control incommercial practice. 5

A further object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide amethod in which such lighter colored subjects, including a fairrepresentation of the luster efi'ects thereof, may be reproduced orsimulated and the practice thereof more 40 effectively controlled.

The actual luster sought to be brought out in varying degrees by thepresent process is comparable to that now commercially produced by theuse 01' finely comminuted natural fish scales in uniform color coatings,which coatings also have a uniform lustre appearance. This material isvery expensive and has, so far as I know, been previously used onlyadmixed throughout the ground coat, (1. e. the first layer applied tothe article to be decorated; the back-ground effect over which isapplied a clear lacquer or varnish). The customary procedure is to mixsuch natural fish scale product with the ground colored body,maintaining it in suspension therein by constant other than spraying andor by some other inconvenient means, so that the scale content willremain mixed with reasonable uniformity, and it has been the practicealso to mix the lustre material with the finishing lacquers which aresubjected to a rubbing out operation.

I have found that substitutes for comminuted natural fish scales can beproduced when the sameexist in the form of suspended mercurous chloridecrystals and like metallic salt crystallin materials. Such materials, sofar as I know, have been used only in the ground coat, and mixedthroughout the body thereof as in the case of the fish scale product.Both materials are costly and their use as previously practiced as aboveexplained is relatively expensive, and wasteful because the larger partof the material so used is merely concealed in the ground coat and othercoatings, and thus the major part thereof is rendered ineffective foronly the visible part of the total material is effective in imparting alustre to the final result.

Mercurous chloride comprises (in powdered state) minute crystals, and isless costly than comminuted natural fish scales. Either may beeffectively used for the lusterizing treatment in the present process.

I prefer to use the above chloride as the primary luster or lusterizingelement to produce in cooperation with the other agents, as will laterappear, the desired luster effects above discussed, although othermetallic salts of the proper crystallin structure may be used whenmaintained in suspension in a suitable carrier. Other examples which maybe found useful are: Stannous chloride, bismuth chloride, antimonychloride, lead and other iodides, and barium hyposulphite. Other bismuth-tin and antimony salts may be used.

As one step in one modification of the process, I spray or otherwiseapply the chloride or like functioning material to form a thin filmthereof, on or over the ground coat or color before the design traceryor grain imprint or at least the final design or grain imprint (in caseof multiprint e. g.) has been applied over the ground" It may be soplaced by methods on top of any suitable overlay on the ground coat. Itis important, however, that whatever method of application is employed,the carrier and the amount of lusterizer should be such that thecrystals will be prevented from unduly agglomerating, and for thefollowing reasons:

Lusterizing materials, such as the specific preferred example referredto, have an elongated crystallin formation with irregular facets which,I believe, function to bring about both diffraction and refraction of alight ray and they have a tendency to agglomerate or cluster in arelatively dense manner if not maintained separated and in suspension bya suitable carrier when applied to the surface being decorated. Forinstance, should a highly volatile carrier be used and the applicationbe effected by the use of a spray gun, care must be exercised inpreventing the loss of too much of the carrier through volatilizationbefore the same reaches the surface coat or color.

being treated. If the spray nozzle is held too far away from the surfacebeing treated, the lusterizer will not be held in suspension and theluster effect thereof will be either greatly decreased or completelylost. Nitrocellulose lacquers have been found to be satisfactorycarriers. I have also found that for my present purposes the agitationduring application of the ground coat crystallin material comprisingmercurous chloride e. g. when suspended in the carrier, in mostinstances should not be more than l2 by weight, and as will specificallybe pointed out hereinafter, this quantity should be further reduced whenproducing certain combinations of translucent and transparent coloredcoatings for desired effects.

I may also use the luster or lusterizing element in finely comminutedstate, in the graining paste, particularly where such graining paste ismore or less transparent, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

I also propose to use the lusterizing material in connection with otherlight reflecting and/or refracting and/or difiracting substances insmall but macroscopic particles, such as bronze or aluminum flake orpowders, mica or macroscopic salt crystals (insoluble) or macroscopicprisms for modifying the luster effects. Various transparent dyes arealso used and the selection thereof is determined by the general colorappearance being sought and the results obtained depend upon which ofthe above e. g. modifying agents or combinations of the same is or areused. Bright metal flakes, such as mentioned, lend a glistening orsparkling metallic brightness, as distinguished from a pearly luster,but do not optically predominate; and mica, as well as certain crystals,can be used to produce similar effects, but without metallic appearance.

In representing marbles, granite, wood grain. etc., any of the abovementioned modifying agents may be used. In representing wood, the eflectis to break up the ground color, in closer simulation of the sometimesrather prominent flake structure, appearing in the zones between thedarker grain" lines, and due, at least in part, to resinous occlusionsin the fibrous body of the wood.

A further feature comprises spraying or otherwise applying the crystalcarrier (or comminuted fish scale for further example) in such mannerthat it does not uniformly influence the ground color, but leavespatches thereof entirely uncovered by the luster element. One method ofdoing this is to spray the material through an open mesh screen held ashort distance from the subject, the fineness of mesh and shapes ofopen.- ings controlling the character and size of the patches. This, inmany instances, simulates, to a fair degree, the relatively fine, flakyappearance. of the pore or background structure of natural woods and thecrystallin structure and/or luster producing materials, and I have foundit practicable to use transparent dyes with the carrier and crystallinsalts in such manner as not to modify the ground color to any greatextent, while producing iridescent and opalescent effects in connectiontherewith. The same treatment is contemplated in connection with usingthe carrier and crystallin salts in transparent or translucent inks orgraining pastes for producing grain effects and conventional patterncontrasts.

I can also obtain good results. by way of imitation 'of'p'orous. flaky,crystallin or capillary backgrounds, etc. by using ordinary pigmentmaterial. lipochrome or mineral e. g., preferably in the form of sprayedon particles which are spaced sufficiently to be individually clearlyapparent to the eye, and of such color and/or transparency or opaquenessas will be suited to the subject being reproduced or simulated.

Mercurous chloride in solid state, or when ap-' plied in a relativelythick coating, is opaque and white, and it should be mentioned that inmost instances I do not propose to apply the same or its equivalent in afilm or layer of such thickness as to conceal the color of the groundcoat, but only in sufiicient density per given area to bring about thelight refraction and diffraction desired and without unduly interferingwith the color reflectivity capacity of the ground coat. Thus, in mostinstances, the luster element is used in a sufliciently thin film e. g.to permit the ground color to dominate the background, always modifiedto some extent by the luster element, but in some finishes I have usedthe insterizer and carrier tinted with dyes. To more clearly illustratethe versatility of the process I have included in the present disclosurecharts showing the general classifications of design results obtainable,as well as charts indicative of specific designs obtained.

In the accompanying drawings, which are by way of example only, Fig. 1represents one modlfication of the procedure, wherein a suitable sheetor panel is used as a base upon which to buildup the decorativetreatment hereof, and the various coatings and imprints are shown indiagrammatic form overlying the base; Fig. 2 shows a transparent basepanel, and the decorative treatment is on the side opposite that whichis presented to view; Fig. 3 shows one manner in which the treatment maybe built up on a detachable base, whereby the treatment itself isadapted to be applied to a different base and caused to adhere thereto,say in the mannet of a calcomania, and Fig. 4 is a generalclassification chart.

In Fig. l, A represents the upper portion of a suitable base, such aswood, paper, fabric or metal; B a ground coat or covering adhering tothe base and having a suitable color quality whch, in connection withthe other coa ings, will produce substantially the background or generalunderlying color of the specimen to be reproduced or simulated. If thebase already has the desired texture and/or color the coating B may beomitted, or tex ure treatment only given the base, or color treatmentonly,-depending on which is lacking. In case of reproducing a specialhigh-grade wood pattern on say a gumwood base, the base may require notreatment at all, other than the lusterizing trea ment, or, on the otherhand, the color only may be modified by suitable dyes.

The film e. g. of luster element (mercurous chloride and carrier) isindicated by small dots at L. This portrayal is highly diagrammatic,for, as a matter of fac no true structural representation can be made inthe drawings on account of the smallness of the luster producingparticles and the dispersion thereof in the carrier. (Carrier notspecifically shown). The grain or general design tracery may now beapplied on top of the L film. This design efiect is indicated bydisconnected blocks or patches C and one or more suitable locking and/orfinishing and/or leveling coats of suitable substantially transparentlacquer or varnish is or are placed over the design imprint orapplication as at D.

With respect to the design imprint C, this may be applied manually aswith a brush or spray. It may be transparent, translucent or opaque.

It invariably has a distinctive pigment or color element contrastingfairly sharply with the un: derlying ground effect, and in commercialpractice may be applied by any known printing method, such as intaglioprinting, relief printing or planographicprinting, as in lithography,etc. Further, the design may be applied in asmany steps as desired, withthe different imprints e. g. either in or out of registrationrelationship with each other.

As one example, a practical and efIective methcd of obtaining anaccurate design is disclosed in the patent to J. P. Henry, No.1,548,465, issred August 4th, 1925. This process comprises etching asuitable roll or plate by using a carbon tissue or resist exposedthrough a photographic film. or plate bearing the light and darkcontrasts and tonal effects to be reproduced. Th s produces a printingmember to which may be applied a color having a predetermined degree oftransparency as will be disclosed. After the application of the color,the plate or roll is scraped to remove excess pigment, leaving a pigmentdesign in the etched pockets, which desgn is then transferred to thework to be decoraed in a suitable manner. It is to be understood thatother forms of printing media may be used in connection with the presentprocess, but I have found the so-called Henry process when used inconjunction with the present process, gives very satisfactory results.Other processes than that mentioned above may be employed. For instance,the so-called half-tone process" or any of its variations may beutilized. The print ng member may likewise be such as to enable the useof a direct printing mechanism or an offset print ng mechanism, the onlyrequirement being that the result will be a true reproduction of thedesign in color and tonal variation of the same.

A modification previously mentioned but not illustrated consists inmixing the lustering element with the graining paste, particularly wherethis grain ng paste is substantially transparent or highly translucent.Examples of practical utility for the modification just described are:representation of animal furs, bird plumage, fish cr reptile sk ns andvarious concretions (nacres, marbles, etc.) wherein the luster effect tobe reproduced may be present only in the full or deeper tone portions ofthe subject. It may also be used to advantage in producing countlessartificial designs on paper, fabric, metal, etc.

The ground coating is, of course, omitted when the base has the desiredground color complement and'it may be here mentioned that usually whenthe present process is practiced to decorate web material, as fabric,paper, Cellophane, etc., the luster element is included in the designimprint material (corresponding to C) which is, in such case,transparent or translucent to furnish the necessary complement to thelusterizing element to give it full efiect and depth. Alternatively, thelusterizing agent may be used as the ground color in the form of 'anopaque or nearly opaque layer, which layer may be appropriately dyed.

Referring to Fig. 2, the coatings and/or applications are made on atransparent base E, which may be glass or Celluloid e. g. The designtracery C may be applied directly to the surface of E, which will, inuse he outermost, or to any suitable, say transparent, underlay coating.The locking or leveling coat D for the design imprint supports thelusterizing element film indicated 4 atL' by small dots. Buch film maybe applied on top of the coat D (shown below it) and any of theaforesaidspecial treatments may be utiliaed to vary or control its eifect. The'ground" coat or treatment, shown at B, is, of coursegap- L may beapplied tothe ground" sheet before it is secured to the coating D or tothe design imprint and base as the case may be.

In the modification just described, the coating D may be omitted if thetransparent base is of such hue (say having an amber tinge) as willcomplement the lusterizing film in producing the desired lusterappearance.

The ground coat and lusterizing coat may be applied to the surface ofthe article being decorated and thereafter the surface may be finishedby the application of the design through the use of a decalcomania film.

Referring to the arrangement of Fig. 3, the

-paper, gelatin or practically any membraneous.

material capable of being removed without disturbing the order orarrangement of the various coatings and/or imprints.

As shown, the finish coat D" is first applied to the sheet F. The designtracery C" is then applied on the coat D" and an intermediate coat ofsay varnish or lacquer which may contain mixed therewith the luster orlusterizing element L" may then be applied. Alternatively thelusterizing element may be applied, as previously describedto thesurface of D" opposite the base F. The whole is then covered by a groundcoating or sheet B". The ground coat may be omitted since this-may notbe needed, or may be applied to the surface to be decorated, as bydipping, spraying or otherwise.

The composite sheet of Fig. 3 may be applied to the surface to bedecorated by causing the ground layer B" to adhere to such surface aswith a suitable adhesive; and the sheet F finally removed as bysoftening it with water and peeling it off, in case it is paper e. g. orby dissolvingit and washing it away in case it is say gelatin.

As to the luster or lusterizing treatment in any of the above describedforms, it may be stated that this may be uniform or non-uniform. Goodresults are obtained when this is so applied that a ripple eflect isproduced, that is to say, by for example, applying the lusterizingcoating in alternating bands (relatively heavy and light deposits).Alternatively the luster element and its vehicle may be so appliedthatthe luster element appears only in certain definite areas of the panelto be decorated, whether in producing artificial designs or simulatingthe high'and low luster areas of certain finished woods e. g. (asmahogany, burl walnut,. curly maple, satinwood, etc.) or wave effects infurs.

It is to be understood that the design imprint or treatment may beomitted and that means other than the application of an imprint may beused to bring out the contrasting light and dark effects to produce adesign. For example, crystal lin effects or wrinkled finish effects maybe used to produce desired surface design contrasts.

groom Theprocessalsooontemplatesinsomeinstances special treatment of theground coatings,that is to say, instead of being generally smooth, theymay be rough, as pitted or wrinkled, or may have suitable treatmentapplied thereto,

such as a deposit of crystals or flakes of any sort to break up theuniformity of color effects and flatness of surface, or a second groundcoat may be applied which is variegated in cross-section or thickness byvariation in spray density or the same may comprise a ground coat transfer of uneven thickness, but of predetermined arrangement or design.

Im the chart shown by Fig. 4, I have attempted to illustrate the rangeof combinations of colors, coatings and lusterizing media which will bereferred to as L. As hereinbefore stated, the order of usage of L andits position in the coating assembly is dependent upon the particulardesign or appearance being simulated. L may be fish scale, metallicsalts of the crystallin classification or other luster producing meansin suspension in a carrier.

The base A may be metal or other construction material with or withoutcolor appearance, depending upon coatings B.

The coating B can serve as the usual ground coat, in which instance itwould be opaque insofar as any color influence or light reflectioncapacity of the surface of the base material A is concerned. Hence,coating B would have a thin film of carrier and L applied over thesurface thereof.

The coating B may in someinstances have L incorporated or admixed!therein in lieu of a thin film of carrier and L".

The coating B may be transparent or translucent, may contain pigments ordyes as a color component or be clearly transparent if the base surfacehas the desired ground color. The coating B may also contain lightreflecting media, such as metallic fiakes.

The coating B and/or other coatings hereof containing L may operate inpart by reason of a metal bright surface thereunder, as in my aboveidentified application.

The coating C may comprise one design trans- .fer or may compriseseveral design transfers in or out of register. This coating C has acolor which contrasts with the underlying coatings or the lightreflecting surface of the base material A. In some'instances, thecoating C may contain L" and metallic flakes or only L or the metallicflakes. If more than one imprint is being control of which furtherexactness of desired reproduction or repetition of decorative effect maybe obtained, and that is the control of the degree of .depth orthickness of the coating comprising the design coating. While this depthor thickness variation would not be obtainable when direct or half-toneprinting is utilized, nevertheless the same is practical by the use ofintaglio printing, so that by following the predeterminations aboveindicated as to color, transiucency,

the use of L and/or fiake materials andmodiand thereby breaking up thelight'reflected by fying the results by variation in the depth of thetransfer or transfers, a further practical exercisable factor becomesavailable in obtaining the desired results.

I claim:

1. A surface decoration, comprising a substantially opaque ground colormaterial, a translucent film of mercurous chloride and carrier therefor,overlying the ground color but unmixed therewith and through which theground color is visible and a substantially transparent finishing coatoverlying said film 2. A surface decoration, comprising a substantiallyopaque ground color material, a colored film of material comprisingmercurous chloride overlying the ground color but unmixed therewith andthrough which the ground color is visible and a colored translucentfinishing coat overlying said film.

3. In surface decoration, suspending microscopic non-glitteringlusterizing particles in a fluid vehicle in which the particles may movefreely and become uniformly dispersed and applying said vehicle andcontained particles in athin film above a base color, and then applyinga translucent coating and a design having a color contrasting with thebase color over said film, one after the other.

4. The method of lusterizing decorative coat-. ings built up on a highlyreflective ground color surface, and including a contrasting designtracery as one of the coatings, consisting of substantially uniformlydistributing light-diffracting and refracting particles between suchlightreflecting surface and the outer surface of the final coating, andthereby diffracting and refracting the light reflected by the groundcolor.

5. The method of artificially prfiducing fiddleback or ripple-effects inwood graining by application of a plurality of coatings to suitablebases, said coatings including a contrasting grain line figure applyinga succession of streaks of uniformly lusterizing, non-glittering mediaof the class described as one of the coatings, said streaks extendinggenerally transversely of the predominating directional extent of thegrain lines and being in optical efiect spaced from each otherlongitudinally of the grain lines.

6. In surface decoration, suspending microscopic non-glitteringlusterizing particles in a fluid vehicle in which the particles may movefreely, whereby the particles will become uniformly dispersedandcoloring said vehicle and applying said vehicle and containedparticles in a thin film above a base color, and then applying atransparent coating and a design having a color contrasting with thebase color over said film, one after the other.

7. The method of lusterizing a decorative finish built up on areflective ground color surface, and including a contrasting designtracery as part of the finish, consisting of substantially uniformlydistributing light-diifracting and refracting particles in substantiallydisconnected zones between such light-refiecting surface and the outersurface of the final coating, and thereby diffracting and refracting thelight reflected by the ground color.

8. The method of lusterizing a decorative finish built up on areflective ground surface, and including a contrasting design tracery aspart of the finish, consisting of substantially uniformly distributingmicroscopic lusterizing particles in definite zones between thelight-reflecting surface and the outer surface of the final coating,

the ground surface. p

9. A decorative finish, comprising an opaque ground color layer, a layerof material of varying thickness overlying the ground color'andportraying a predetermined design when contrasted with the groundcoating color, said material having embodied therein light diifractingcrystals, and a top layer of clear lacquer or varnish.

10. A decorative finish, comprising an opaque ground color, a layer oftranslucent material of varying thickness overlying the ground color andportraying a predetermined design when contrastedwith the ground color,said translucent material having embodied therein light diffractingcrystals, and a top layer of clear lacquer or varnish.

11. A decorative finish adapted for application on a suitable basesurface, comprising a layer of material formed of a carrier having insuspension a crystallin metallic salt, the crystals of which have lightrefracting characteristics, the layer being of such thickness that it issubstantially opaque to light rays passing toward the base surface, asuperposed layer of translucent material of varying thickness portrayinga predetermined design when contrasted with the layer of crystallinmaterial, and a top layer of transparent lacquer or varnish.

12. A decorative finish adapted for application on a suitable basesurface, comprising a layer of material having suspended therein acrystalline metallic salt, the crystals of which have light difiractingcharacteristics, the layer being of such thickness that it issubstantially opaque to light rays passing toward the base surface, asuperposed layer of translucent material of varying thickness portrayinga predetermined design when contrasted with the layer of crystallinematerial, and a top coating of substantially transparent lacquer orvarnis 13. A decorative finish adapted for application on a suitablebase surface, comprising a layer of color material having suspendedtherein a crystalline metallic salt, the crystals of which have lightdiffracting and refracting characteristics, the layer being of suchthickness that it is substantially opaque to light rays passing towardthe base surface, a superposed layer of translucent material of varyingthickness portraying a predetermined design when contrasted with thelayer of crystalline material, and a top coating of substantiallytransparent lacquer or varnish.

14. A decorative finish adapted for application on a suitable basesurface, comprising a layer of color material having suspended therein acrystalline metallic salt, the crystals of which have light diifractingcharacteristics, the layer being of such thickness that it issubstantially opaque to light rays passing toward the base surface, asuperposed layer of material of varying thickness portraying apredetermined design when contrasted with the layer of crystallinematerial, and a top coating of substantially transparent colored lacqueror varnish.

15. A decorative treatment comprising a color-2d ground layer, havingthereover a substantially transparent finishing layer whereby the groundcolor is visible through the finishing layer, and a film of materialbetween said layers comprising a carrier having mixed therein acrystallin metallic salt, the film being wholly unmixed with both saidlayers and of such thickness that the ground color is visible throughsaid film, whereby asub- 6 duedlustereifectislmpartedtotheground color.

16. A decorative treatment comprising a colored ground layer.transparent finishing layer, whereby the ground color is visible throughthe finishing layer, and a film of material between said layerscomprising a colored carrier having mixed therein a crystallin metallicsalt, the film being wholly unmixed with both said layers and of suchthiclruses that the ground color is visible through said film, whereby asubdued luster eflect is imparted to the ground color.

17. A decorative treatment, comprising a colored ground layer, havingthereover a translucent finishing layer, and a film of materialcomprising a carrier having mixed therein a crystallin metallic salt,the materials of the film adhering to one of said layers, but unmixedtherewith, the film being of such thickness that the ground color isvisible through said film, whereby a subdued luster effect is impartedto the ground color.

18. A decorative treatment for surfaces, comprising a colored groundlayer and a substantially transparent finishing layer in superposedrelation to the surface to be decorated, an interposed thin film oflusterizing material between said layers, wholly unmixed with the groundlayer, the film comprising a suitable colored carrier bonded to one ofsaid layers, said carrier having mixed therein a crystallin metallicsaltwhich imparts to the ground color when viewed through the finishinglayer the characteristic luster efiect of colored mother-of-pearl.

19. A decorative treatment for surfaces, comprising a colored groundlayer and a translucent finishing layer in superposed relation to thesurface to be decorated, and an interposed thin film of coloredlusterizing material between said layers wholly unmixed with the groundlayer and the finishing layer, the film comprising a suitable carrierbonded to the ground layer material and the translucent finishingmaterial and having mixed therein minute non-glittering lightdiffracting crystals which impart to the ground color when viewedthrough the finishing layer the characteristic luster effect of coloredmotherof-pearl.

20. A decorative treatment for surfaces, comprising a coloredgroundlayer and a substantially transparent finishing layer, insuperposed relation to the surface to be decorated, and an interposedthin film'of lusterizingmaterial between said layers wholly unmixed withthe ground layer, the film comprising a suitable carrier bonded to theground layer material and the substantially transparent finishing layerand the carrier having mixed therein minute nonglittering lightreflecting crystals which impart to the ground color when viewed throughthe finishing layer a luster eifect. I

21. A decorative treatment for surfaces, comprising a colored groundlayer and a colored substantially transparent finishinglayer, insuperposed relation to the surface to be decorated, and an interposedthin film of lusterizing material between said layers wholly unmixedwith the ground layer and the finishing layer, the film comprising asuitable colored carrier bonded to the ground layer material and thetransparent finishing layer and the carrier having mixed therein minutenon-glittering light reflecting and difiracting crystals which impart tothe ground color when viewed through the finishing layer a lustereffect.

having thereover a colored 22. A decorative treatment for surfaces,comprising the application of a translucent ground layer and asubstantially transparent finishing layer in superposed relation over ametal bright surface and an interposed thin film of lusterizing materialbetween said layers, the film comprising a suitable carrier having mixedtherein minute faceted non-glittering particles which impart to theground color when viewed through the finishing layer a luster effect.

28. A decalcomania transfer, comprising a ground color having thereovera transparent finish layer so that the ground color is visible throughthe finish layer, a thin film of material adjacent one of said layersand through which the ground color subsequently is visible, said filmcontaining nonglittering lusterizing particles substantiallyuniformlydistributed therethroush.

24. In a decorative treatment, comprising a ground color layer, acontrasting pigment design tracery, and a translucent finishing layeroverlying a base in the order mentioned, a crystallin metallic salt insuspension in a carrier which is sufficiently translucent so that itdoes not change materially the color value of the ground, said carrierbeing bonded to one of said layers.

25. In a decorative treatment, comprising a ground color layer,contrasting pigment design tracery layer, and a translucent finishinglayer in superposed relation to a base in the order mentioned, anon-glittering film of uniformly lusterizing material between two ofsaid layers sufficiently translucent so as not to change materially thecolor value of pigment material which it overlies.

26. In a decorative finish comprising a reflective ground color, acontrasting design tracery, and a substantially transparent finishlayer, minute, lustering particles uniformly distributed in definitespaced zones between the light-refiecting surface and the outer surfaceof the finish.

27. A decorative finish adapted for application ona suitable basesurface, comprising a layer formed of a vehicle having suspended thereinminute lusterizing particles in sufficient proportion to render thelayer continuously oqaque to light rays passing toward the base surface,a layer of material of varying opacity portraying a predetermineddesign, and a top layer of substantially transparent protectivematerial.

28. A surface decoration, comprising a base color coat, a film overlyingsaid coat comprising lusterizing particles of mercurous chlorideuniformly dispersed in a colored vehicle, and a design layer having acolor contrasting with the base color, lying on top of said film.

29. In the method of obtaining a decorative surface, comprising theapplication over a ground color of a contrasting pigment design tracery,and a substantially transparent finishing coat in the order mentioned,the step of applyins. between the said substantially transparent coatand ground color, a substantially continuous film of lusterizingmaterial characterised by the absence of sparkle and glint. andsumciently translucent so as not to change materially the color .valueof the ground.

30. A decorative finish comprising superimposed iayers, one of whichsupports an open design tracery. one layer including microscopiccrystalline particles in sumcient quantity to sfll 'fect an iridescentlusterous but non-glittering appearance, and one layer includingmacroscopic faceted particles having a pronounced reflective quality,whereby to impart a flaky appearance to the finish.

31. A decorative finish, comprising a ground color layer, a non-uniformlayer containing pigment contrasting in operative effect with the groundcolor, a substantially transparent protec- 10 tive layer overlying thedesign, and a film adjacent one of said layers, thinner than the layerto which adjacent, said film containing a substantially uniformdispersion of lusterizing particles characterized by the property ofimparting to the finish when illuminated and viewed from various anglesa substantially uniform glowing appearance over relatively large areasof the subject without appearing to sparkle at any portion of suchareas.

LLOYD V. CASTO.

